It may be worthy of mention that Deborah Smith
died in this town Nov. 21, 1838, aged 108 years. She
was the widow of Waters Smith, a brother of
Melancthon Smith, who was a member of the State
Convention that adopted the Constitution of the
United States.

When our forefathers first entered on the Revolutionary
struggle they did not contemplate a separation from the British crown, but
merely desired to reform abuses and resist the encroachments of Parliament and
the ministry on their rights and privileges. Their motto was "No taxation
without representation." But they advanced step by step, till at last there
could be no return, and then they went into open, rebellion. No doubt some
long-headed statesmen saw from the first that this would be the final result.

On the passage of the bill in Parliament shutting up the port
of Boston on account of the throwing of tea overboard, some persons in Jamaica
assembled at the inn of Increase Carpenter, a mile east of the village, and
after an interchange of opinions requested Othniel Smith, the constable, to
warn-the freeholders to a meeting at the court- house (where now is the Hall of
Pharmacy), to take into consideration the state of public affairs.

The inhabitants met December 6th 1774 and resolved:

1. To maintain the just dependence of the colonies upon the
crown of Great Britain, and to render true allegiance to King George III.

2. That it is our right to be taxed only by our own consent;
and that taxes imposed on us by Parliament are an infringement of our rights.

3. We glory to have been born subject to the crown and
excellent constitution of Great Britain; we are one people with our mother
country, and lament the late unhappy disputes.

5. We sympathize with our brethren of Boston under their sufferings.

6. We approve the measures of the late General Congress at Philadelphia.